Huddersfield 0-0 Southampton: David Wagner's side held by Saints

By Patrick Surlis

Huddersfield extended their unbeaten start to life in the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against Southampton at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the first half as Steve Mounie drew a smart stop from Fraser Forster, while Nathan Redmond squandered an excellent early chance for the Saints.

Southampton improved after the break and pushed for a winner in the final 10 minutes as substitute James Ward-Prowse had a penalty appeal turned down, while Jonas Lossl kept out Redmond's side-foot effort and Ryan Bertrand saw a header cleared off the line.

The result means Huddersfield have two wins and a draw from three Premier League games and they have kept three consecutive league clean sheets.

Huddersfield largely controlled the first 45 minutes but the best opening fell to Redmond, who fired wide when one-on-one with Lossl.

Forster then denied Mounie with a point-blank save as the hosts upped the tempo and the Southampton goalkeeper almost gifted the Terriers the lead shortly before the break. He fumbled a deep cross straight into the path of Elias Kachunga but recovered to keep the score level.

The visitors stepped up a gear in the second half and Manolo Gabbiadini - otherwise isolated for much of the match - forced Lossl into a low save with a shot from the edge of the area.

Team news

Both teams were unchanged from their previous Premier League matches, with Southampton's summer signing Wesley Hoedt an unused substitute on the bench.

Mauricio Pellegrino introduced Shane Long and the Irishman made a difference, creating three opportunities in quick succession in the final stages.

Ward-Prowse wanted a penalty after racing onto Long's pass and tumbling under the challenge of Mathias Jorgensen before Long teed up Redmond to test Lossl with a curling strike.

There was still time for Southampton to fashion one more opening, with Long again involved. He chipped up a cross for an onrushing Bertrand but the full-back miscued his header, allowing Tommy Smith to hack clear.

Opta stats

Huddersfield have kept a clean sheet in each of their opening three games to a league season for the first time since 1965-66 (second tier).

Southampton have failed to score in eight of their last 11 Premier League games, scoring just seven goals from 144 shots in these matches (4.9%).

Saints have remained unbeaten in their opening three games of a Premier League season for just the second time (also 2003-04).

Man of the match - Tommy Smith

The Huddersfield captain was a rock at right-back and helped keep Southampton's attacking trio quiet for much of the match.

Redmond and Dusan Tadic had little joy, while Smith looked more adventurous in attack than opposite number Bertrand.

He bailed out his side late on too, clearing Bertrand's header off the line in stoppage time to preserve a clean sheet and a share of the spoils.

The managers

David Wagner: "At the end maybe the fair result is a draw. I think it was one of the better 0-0 draws we have seen, especially from my side.

"In the first half after Southampton missed their first clear chance, we played very good, we created good opportunities, we were very aggressive on crosses and we kept them away from our goal.

We really were in their face so I was really happy with the first half. In the second half we had some moments as well, but Southampton showed why they are one of the best teams in this division."

David Wagner says Huddersfield’s confidence will only improve following a third Premier League clean sheet in a row.

David Wagner says Huddersfield’s confidence will only improve following a third Premier League clean sheet in a row.

Mauricio Pellegrino: "It could have been three points, one point or nil because it was really tough in the beginning.

"Huddersfield are really well prepared especially in their style of play, with the long ball and second ball. On crosses we were in trouble at some moments.

"At the same time we had two chances in the first half and in the end, the last 15 or 20 minutes, we put them under pressure with our chances."

The pundit

Phil Thompson: "I've been a big critic of Maya Yoshida in the past but what a terrific game he had.

"He is getting better and better alongside Jack Stephens. The two of them were under heavy pressure at times as Huddersfield crossed so many balls into the box. But the two of them were absolutely fantastic today for Southampton."

What next?

The international break means Huddersfield will have to wait until September 11 for a chance to keep their dream Premier League start going.

That's a Monday Night Football clash at the London Stadium against struggling West Ham, while Pellegrino's Southampton host Watford on September 9.